Seem lately that these rules are frequently cited at the starting line, just before the race almost to get the rider nervous, then nothing done. It develops a big callous as to really listening to rules that will be enforced.
Racers learn what they are allowed to do and do that - not what the rules
Maybe in 12 years they will nullify his race wins when they see this on video, with an official allowing it - it can't be cheating.
Examples:
-Right before the TT start in VOS - referee to my son. "Is there any reason your bars are not round?, Rules state no clip on or aero bars." (they do state that). Same type of bars he used last year. He was allowed to use them last year, this year - so why ask.
-Big call out on the start line about crinkled number. So we always (400+ races) take the number and put it in a ball and then flatten it out. The primary SoCal promoter decided to call him out on the start line of the State Crit and everyone had to wait about 5 min to start. Then...nothing happened and we all started. And we/he still do the same thing with the numbers.
-"No tolerance on the centerline rule" - I see not being reasonable and allowing crosses on corners and when bumped.